Channel 4 has secured broadcasting rights for the deciding final race of the Formula One season for free on Sunday, after Sky agreed to share its coverage.
The deal allows viewers to see Lewis Hamilton look to take home an eighth World Championship title, as himself and Max Verstappen are currently tied on 369.5 points each.
Channel 4’s Chief Executive, Alex Mahon, commented: “We are delighted that the whole nation will be able to watch what is set to be one of the most thrilling finales to an F1 season in living memory as Lewis strives to become the most crowned World Champion of all time.
“After bringing Test cricket to free to air television for the first time in more than a decade, and enabling millions to share the joy of Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph, we are so pleased to be partnering with Sky to enable the widest possible audience to share this historic sporting moment.”
The deal sees Channel 4 broadcast Sky’s production of the live race coverage with presenters Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, Martin Brundle, Nat Pinkham, David Croft, Karun Chandhok, Simon Lazenby and Ted Kravitz.
The network has also stated that a team consisting of Steve Jones, David Coulthard, Mark Webber and Lee McKenzie will provide build up to the race for 15 minutes from midday before handing over to Sky for their pre-race build-up and live coverage of the race itself.
Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO UK & Europe Sky, added: “Sunday’s Grand Prix is one of the biggest sporting events in the last decade, and could be an historic moment for British sport. We’ve chosen to gift the race to the whole country at Christmas through our partnership with Channel 4, so everyone can be part of a huge national moment as Lewis Hamilton goes for a historic eighth World Championship title.
“The brilliant Sky Sports Formula 1 team will give viewers on Channel 4 and Sky Sports the best insight, commentary and analysis of every twist and turn of this most eagerly anticipated final race of the season. Additionally all Sky TV customers will have live coverage of the important qualifying session on Saturday, and the race on Sunday – which we will also show live on Sky Showcase.”
Channel 4 has also previously secured live coverage of Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory, the British and Irish Lions rugby union series, test match cricket coverage of England’s tour in India, Ireland rugby union autumn internationals and live in-depth coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
